Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University
A man arrived at the office of Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) Andrew Lewis Jr. in excruciating back pain. A first-time patient, he explained that his daughter’s wedding was that weekend and hoped a spinal adjustment would at least help him stand tall. After Dr. Lewis’ adjustments, he was able to stand upright, aided further by augmented hands-on treatment with a topical cannabidiol (CBD) that was used to help reduce inflammation.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound and does not require a medical marijuana qualified physician, the only Florida provider authorized to recommend medical cannabis.
“The patient was glad to report that on the following Monday… It was the CBD that really helped him go through the weekend,” explains Dr. Lewis, owner of New Dimensions Health and Wellness Inc. in Tallahassee.
Chiropractors treat musculoskeletal and nerve-related conditions, especially in the spine and joints, through adjustments. Some, including Drs. Lewis and Misty Green, also use CBD for its anti-inflammatory effects.
“After each chiropractic adjustment, I use a topical application… I also educate [my patients] on oral cannabinoids, which help from the inside out, “ notes Dr. Green of Alabar Chiropractic & Rehab Center in Cape Coral.
Both doctors emphasize that CBD isn’t always appropriate and use only products from reputable manufacturers with clear ingredients and QR-coded certificates of analysis.
Dr. Lewis notes that patients who avoid medical marijuana because of THC’s psychoactive effects can still experience therapeutic benefits from CBD, which he sees as complementary to chiropractic care.
Visit https://bit.ly/MMERINovember2025 to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Doctors of Chiropractic Misty Green and Andrew Lewis Jr. discussing why “Cannabis and Chiropractics.”